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Say "I Do" to Kimbra's Vows!

Hi, darlings! So, I'm Mickey Woods, and I'll be Glamour.com's new resident music guru—starting with a weekly new-release column to come out every Tuesday. I'll be sharing my feelings on the music, and letting you lovely readers know why you should care, too. First up is 22-year-old New Zealand newcomer/pop dynamo (Ah, slashes. Don't you love that they show how multi-faceted the folks we cover are?), Kimbra, and her debut album, Vows, which comes out today!

Most of you likely got just a taste of what Kimbra can offer when she appeared on the song and in the music video (nude! covered in body paint! see below!) for Australian artist Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know." Her jazz-lite vocals supported Gotye's haunting kiss-off beautifully; I knew it was only a matter of time before we'd be hearing more from her.

But let me break it down for you a little bit, if you don't mind me sharing: I'm not the marrying kind, mostly because the idea of being committed to someone for a lifetime sounds so boring. Like, um: snore. But if we're taking the title of Kimbra's album literally, sealing vows with who (or what) you love, sounds kind of awesome. Vows is at all times thrilling and theatrical, filled with wall-of-sound orchestration and nearly-schizoid arrangements, all kept afloat with ease by Kimbra's elastic voice.

She sets up the scene beautifully in first single "Settle Down" with a persuasive plea: "Won't you settle down with me?" The track seems to answer back with a flurry of flawless acapella harmonizing, idiosyncratic beats, and gleeful shouts. If "Settle Down" is Vows' lead actor, the other songs function as a rambunctious supporting cast. (Think Bridesmaids, ya'll, where Kristen Wiig was the star, but the other ladies—I'm lookin' at you, Melissa McCarthy!—pretty much made the film.)

Cue the visuals!

"Cameo Lover" explodes with horns and handclaps as Kimbra wails "Open up your heart!" and reminds me (in the best way possible, I swear!) of Sesame Street characters prancing down the street arm-in-arm. (I know you're tired of these asides, but as an aside, cough cough—if you're here in New York, that's the equivalent of those Elmos and Cookie Monsters meandering around Times Square with their arms outstretched for hugs-for-pay. CREEPY!) Elsewhere, "Plain Gold Ring" and "Good Intent" make like a pair of twin Jessica Rabbits, vamping effortlessly over slinky, spare beats.

However, Kimbra's effervescent personality is the true star: she is asking for long-term commitment with warm smiles and actress-y sighs, and always seeming to find the silver lining. This debut calls to mind 2007's brilliant Marry Me, the premiere record from indie breakthrough artist St. Vincent. That album is another series of vows, but with an overall darker tone—both plaintive and delightfully menacing—which of course, is more my cup of tea. Regardless, Kimbra's update comes across as more hopeful. Self-assured. Dare we say, sexy? Of course, we loooove that and we want heroine Kimbra to get her man, don't we, darlings? And I believe by the record's end, she does. But, listen for yourselves! And fellas, take note: Kimbra is the girl you want to take home to mama.

Also out today: Garbage—Not Your Kind of People; Sara Bareilles—Once Upon Another Time; John Mayer—Born and Raised; Haley Reinhart—Listen Up!

What do you all think? Will you accept Kimbra's proposal and say I do? Or, are you like me and in no rush to get to the altar anytime soon? Also, what would what ya'll like me to review next week? Discuss!